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X. ROCK
ROCK STYLES
Objectives
Defined as vocal music with a hard, driving beat often featuring electric guitar accompaniment and
heavily amplified sound, rock and roll, later simply rock, evolved from many styles of American popular
music. Rhythm and blues, country and western, soul, Motown, disco, reggae, funk, punk, new wave,
heavy metal, rap, African popular music, and grunge are all described through styles and performers.
Discussions of rock tone color, rhythm, form, melody, and harmony close the section.
Suggestions
1. Many styles are discussed in this section, and you may wish to present an historical survey, or
a random selection to see if they can identify sounds and characteristics. The various elements covered in
this section should be discussed and illustrated in the same serious and scholarly manner as any other
stylistic period.
2. These sections on rock offer a perfect opportunity for student involvement in class
presentations or term projects (this is particularly appropriate for instructors who feel uneasy about
covering this area). Here are three rock research projects that may be used:
• Contemporary song texts—a comparison of rock and rap: Ask students to pick four rock
and four rap songs, summarize the subject matter of the texts, determine the form of the
music, and then identify trends and characteristics.
• The diversity of rock styles—an analysis: Ask students to pick four rock pieces popular
today that show definite relationship to other styles of music. Have students identify those
relationships (shared musical elements, instrumentation, subject matter, etc.).
• Some popular rock groups today—a comparison: Ask students to investigate the
instrumentation, theatrical aspects, and musical characteristics of four popular rock groups,
and determine if a standardization is emerging. Make sure they take into account the role of
technology and computer-based music.
If each project were taken by a third of the class, there should be a variety of responses, and the
discussion will undoubtedly be lively and enthusiastic.
Questions and Topics
1. How did rock and roll reflect the needs and fantasies of a segment of the American public
during the 1950s?
2. Contrast the image of the teenagers in the thirties and forties with their image in the fifties.
3. Describe the characteristics of rock.
4. Audience behavior at rock concerts.
5. Is popular music today any different in its social applications from that of previous centuries?
ROCK IN AMERICAN SOCIETY
Objectives
Personal association with the attitudes of rock, a favorable economic climate, and the “baby boom” after
World War II are all discussed as factors leading to the success of rock. The mass audiences at concerts
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and festivals, and the business and theatrical aspects of rock are considered in the light of their relevance
and appeal to the younger generation. The shift in emphasis from live to recorded performances as a result
of improved techniques and the desire to add new instrumental and electronic sounds is described, and the
development of MTV discussed.
Suggestions
1. The text discusses the appeal of rock to the younger generation, and then states “popular music
before the 1950s had appealed about equally to people of all ages.” This implies that people “of all ages”
today do not find rock appealing, while they did appreciate (and participate in?) the music of the 1930s
and 1940s. If there are some “older” students in the class, what are their feelings toward rock? What were
their feelings toward Goodman, Sinatra, Charlie Parker and other jazz performers? On the other side,
what was the reaction of the older generation to the sound of swing when it first came out? Or bop? Are
there only “young” people at a discotheque? Now that those whose motto was “don't trust anyone over
thirty” are themselves over thirty, how do we classify “young”? To what extent did each new style of
music in our study express the “search for identity and independence” of the younger generation, whether
it be rock, Dixieland, nuove musiche or even ars nova?
2. It is again suggested that students be involved in choosing some selections to be discussed in
class, possibly bringing in some of their own favorites.
3. If space permits, it would be very enjoyable, and especially enlightening to those who may not
be familiar with the present dance scene, for some students to demonstrate breakdancing, and the other
dances mentioned in the text, pogo, slam and mosh pit dancing.
Questions and Topics
1. Rock and roll: a business?
2. Theatrics in the performance of rock.
3. Discuss the role of MTV and the Internet in shaping American popular music.
4. The impact of Woodstock on the American scene.
5. Gold Cadillacs in American society.
6. Saturday Night Fever fever.
7. The significance of raves, and new electronic dance music (EDM) styles.
THE BEATLES
Objectives
Described as “the most influential performing group in the history of rock,” the section traces the career
of this popular British group and its impact on American life. Characteristics of their style are described,
with two selections from the song cycle Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band discussed in detail: Lucy
in the Sky with Diamonds and A Day in the Life.
Suggestions
1. Depending on how many records listed in the text you have at your disposal (you might call on
the students for help in obtaining some), you could provide an historical survey from early to later styles.
Selective songs from recordings issued before Sgt. Pepper should be compared to those discussed in the
text, and again to those from later recordings.
2. The text discusses Sgt. Pepper in the light of a song cycle. In what ways is it similar to the
great cycles of Schubert and Schumann, and in what ways is it different? Is Kamien “leaning over
backwards” in giving the recording such an artistic designation? A detailed analysis of Lucy in the Sky
with Diamonds is given. While discussing, try playing it at different levels of volume. Is the effect the
same? The words of the song are not included in the text, but may be found on the record jacket. Some
innovations, as those pointed out in the discussion of A Day in the Life, should be covered and
highlighted.
Questions and Topics
l. Discuss the evolution of the Beatles.
2. Bob Dylan and the Beatles.
3. Beatle song texts as literature.
4. The price of success? Factors in the dissolution of the Beatles.
